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A fishmonger in Sussex has been voted best fishmonger in the UK. So what's their secret? The people who run the little shop are delighted of course. But what may surprise many, is that they are based twenty miles and more from the nearest harbour or seashore.

Thousands of fish have been found dead near the River Thames in Goring. The recent flooding has seen exceptionally high river flows over an extended period of time, which has caused some fish to seek refuge on flooded fields and meadows.

Thousands of fish became trapped near the River Thames Credit: Environment Agency

Unfortunately, fish can become trapped as result and may die due to suffocation as levels leave them stranded or water quality deteriorates.

Thousands of fish became trapped near the River Thames Credit: Environment Agency

The Environment Agency has carried out a number of rescues of trapped fish in the past, and as a result know of a number of historic sites where fish become trapped after flooding.

Thousands of fish became trapped near the River Thames Credit: Environment Agency

This week, fisheries officers became aware of fish trapped in a small pond off the River Thames, near Goring. The team used electrofishing equipment to remove the fish, including Perch, Dace, Chub, and Roach, and returned them to the River Thames.

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Video. A dead five foot long fish, which weighs as much as a person, has gone on display in Medway. David Johns spoke to shop owner Abdul Hannan about why this big fish is becoming the talk of the town.

The recent heatwave has led to tens of thousands of fish dying in rivers and lakes, with officials racing to rescue many more.

The hot weather and low rainfall that gripped the UK in July can lead to low oxygen levels in water, leaving fish at risk of suffocation or distress, the Environment Agency said.

Heavy rainfall, such as the downpours which followed the heatwave, can cause an increase in diffuse pollution and sediment washed off roads, from sewerage systems and from agricultural land, which also lowers oxygen levels.

There were more than 15 separate incidents in July that led to almost 50,000 fish deaths as a result of the weather, while many thousands more were rescued by Environment Agency teams and partners.

In Tiptree village pond, Essex, the Environment Agency responded to reports of hundreds of fish in distress and 50 dead, and found oxygen levels down to 3%.

With aeration pumps they were able to boost levels to a healthy 40%.

Geoff Bateman, head of fisheries and biodiversity at the Environment Agency, said: "Long periods of hot weather with low rainfall can be deadly for fish.

"The Environment Agency has a 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060 and we encourage anglers and people out enjoying rivers, canals and lakes to call if they see fish gasping for air.